SUMMERDALE - Summerdale Police Department’s Corporal Kristopher Baldner has been named 2019 Officer of the Year. Baldner has received an honorary award from the department and a monetary award donated by Baldwin EMC. Chief Kevin Brock put together the program as a way to recognize the town’s officers for their work throughout the year, and Baldwin EMC has expressed interest in continuing to sponsor the program going forward.

“Dedication and integrity are highly sought-after qualities, and when searching for the Officer of the Year we looked for these qualities, along with other things that might make an individual stand out,” said Brock during the award ceremony held at the March town council. “For 2019, it was an easy choice. Corporal Baldner has stepped up into his supervisor position and shown great dedication and integrity not only as he conducted himself honorably in the Bravo Team, but he has reached out for even more responsibility.”

Using his experience in technology, Baldner volunteered to be on call to help fellow officers with any technical issues, and took initiative to modify the department’s uniform policy to meet the chief’s standards. He was named Training Coordinator for the department after taking a major role in scheduling training, while still performing his daily tasks. During 2019, Baldner issued 1,181 citations and made 92 arrests.

“There is not enough recognition for our law enforcement officers,” said Baldwin EMC CEO Karen Moore. “It was an easy decision to participate in this program, and what we have done for Corporal Baldner will never repay him and his fellow officers for what they do for us. We are a corporate citizen of the Town of Summerdale, we are proud to be a citizen here, and we are proud of the team that the town has.”

Vice President of Corporate Services and Public Relations at Baldwin EMC Mark Ingram presented the monetary gift to Baldner during the ceremony. He stated that when Moore was asked to sponsor the event she quickly said yes, saying Baldwin EMC has needed to call the Summerdale Police Department during the past, and have always received a quick response.